On July 1, 1925, Blanche and Charles Barnes welcomed a precious baby girl to their home in Brigham City, Utah. She was given the name of Lei Nani. Blanche's brother, Von, was serving a mission in Hawaii when he heard about the expected baby. He sent a card with a note asking Blanche to name the baby Lei Nani, which means "beautiful flower garland/wreath." Her name truly befitted her. Attached to the note was a delicate infant -sized ring as a gift. Little did they know then what an important part of Lei Nani's life Hawaii would play.
Lei Nani's, older brother C.L. (Charles Le Roy), was happy to have a new sister and 18 months later, another sister, Flossie (Flora Lee), completed their family.
The Barnes family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho a few years later where Lei would spend her growing up years. She loved the outdoors and spent her summers with family and friends swimming above Shoshone Falls and hiking the local trails. Lei Nani also loved to dance and traveled all over the area sharing her tap dancing talents at local venues.
Lei's life was shaped and molded by her experiences living through the Great Depression. The Barnes' home was always welcoming family and friends who needed a place to live or a good meal. They didn't have much, but always shared what they had. Lei and Flossie spent many a summer night sleeping on the screened front porch while others took their comfortable bed.
During the uncertain times of WWII, Lei Nani graduated from Twin Falls High School. With two friends she headed to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they entered and completed an Army cadet nurse's training program at the University of Utah. She went on to work as a Registered Nurse for many years providing compassionate care and kindness to her patients.
Soon after graduating, Lei met Ben Dansie on a blind date. We don't know it was love at first sight, but soon after, on June 11, 1948, they married at the Dansie home on 10th East and Browning Avenue. They spent over 65 happy years together. Their family was later sealed in the Logan Temple.
Lei Nani and Ben began their life together in Burley, Idaho where Ben worked for Union Seed and Lei loved being a stay-at-home mom. Four children: Diana, David, Rae Lynne and Scott, rounded out the family. Later they moved to Palmer, Alaska and Tremonton, Utah. Great memories were made as they spent their summers camping at Red Fish Lake and Yellowstone Park, and at the family cabin on Bear Lake .and their winters on the ski slopes. Lei Nani was a fun mom and her children always knew she loved them.
When Ben retired from the seed business, he and Lei purchased a home in Kona, Hawaii and then built a home in Park City, Utah. For 32 years they had the best of both worlds- Hawaii in the winter and Park City in the summer. Whether it was because of her Hawaiian name or not, she love living in Hawaii and all that her island paradise had to offer.
Lei Nani and Ben traveled all over the world, exploring places like New Zealand, China, Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, and many other wonderful destinations. Lei was always up for a good trip. She was also an avid reader and had a good book in hand wherever she went.
Lei Nani's bright smile, sparkling blue eyes, cheerful countenance, and pleasant personality drew people to her. She continued to nurture and care for those around her showing them great love up to the very end.
Lei was proceeded in death by her parents, brother, and loving husband, Ben. She is survived by her sister Flossie of Port Townsend, WA; her children, Diana (Al) Hardy, Casper, WY, Dave (Jeanette), Washougal, WA, Rae Lynne (Rod) Paulson, Vernal, UT, and Scott (Allan Liu) Salt Lake City, UT, 10 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.
Lei Nani's life was blessed by Scott and Allan as they devoted so much time, talent, and themselves to daily visits, love, and always meeting mom's needs. They truly devoted their lives to making sure she had the best care and support. Our family can never adequately thank them for all they have done for our parents.
We as a family wish to also express our gratitude to the staff at Legacy, Brookdale, and Aspire who took such great care of our mom these past 6 years. We want to also thank Marcia Pinkerton for her care and love given so freely to our sweet mother.
We invite family and friends to a viewing to be held on Saturday September 21, 2019 at Larkin Mortuary (260 East South Temple) from 9:30-10:15 am with a graveside service to follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery (N Street between 5th and 6th Avenue).
